Brewer increases Arizona campaign finance limits

PHOENIX — Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a measure
that wildly increases campaign finance limits and undermines the state’s public
financing program.

Brewer signed House Bill 2593 Thursday, only two days after the Arizona Senate
voted 17-13 to send it to her for passage.

Democrats criticized the measure because it would make it difficult for any
candidate to successfully run with public campaign funding.

State, legislative and other candidates now can raise thousands of dollars more
each election. For example, the measure increased the limit for legislative
candidates from $488 through the primary and general elections to nearly $2,500
from individual donors during the primary and the general election.

The law is one of several efforts to allow more money into state elections
being pushed by Republicans nationwide.